1988 FORD SALEEN MUSTANG Original Owner, 39K MILE CALIFORNIA CAR

Specifications:

VIN: 1FABP41E3JF169620
Exterior Color: Scarlet Red
Interior Color: Medium Gray
Engine: 5.0 Liter V8
Transmission: 5 Speed Manual
Status: SOLD- Long Island, New York
Stock: 09-10648
Mileage: 39,110

1988 Supercharged Ford Saleen Mustang

39k One-Adult-Owner Miles

 Lifelong California Car with Subtle Performance Enhancements
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 Highlights

  • VIN #1FABP41E3JF169620
  • Incredible Cosmetic & Mechanical Condition
  • Color: Scarlet Red/Medium Gray Cloth
  • 39,125 Original Miles
  • Saleen no. 85
  • 1 of 549 Saleen Mustang Hatchbacks produced in 1988
  • 1-owner lifelong California car
  • Sold new at nearby Ed Chovanes Ford, San Leandro, California
  • Supercharged; Ford Motorsport Powerdyne BD-10
  • 5-speed manual transmission
  • 08:1 rear axle
  • Original interior
  • Upgraded Flowmaster Exhaust, ¼” larger than stock pipes with pencil cut tips
  • Upgraded Sound System (Original Pioneer stereo included)
  • Freshly serviced
  • Extensive file of original paperwork and delivery items

Saleen Mustang History

 Steve Saleen, a business school graduate with a background in Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Formula Atlantic and Trans-Am racing, was thrilled by Ford’s first assault on the early ’80s horsepower war. Saleen had owned ’65 and ’66 Shelby GT-350s and a ’67 GT fastback with a 390-cid V-8. He was aware of how Carroll Shelby had turned garden-variety Mustangs into world-class performance cars. His interest in Mustang’s led to the creation of the Saleen Mustang introduced in 1984 and underwent restyling and mechanical upgrades for the 1987 model year.

Powered by Ford’s 5.0L High Output small-block V-8 in combination with a 5-speed manual transmission, the 1988 Saleen was the most comprehensively modified version yet. It was instantly identifiable by its tri-color body-side racing stripes, Saleen Autosport-designed front air dam, extended rear spoiler and body-side skirts, Saleen Mustang windshield tint band and decklid emblem, Ford Motorsport quarter window graphics and unique Saleen Autosport/American Racing mesh alloy wheels. Its Racecraft suspension offered serious handling improvements using special chassis bracing, a strut tower brace, special high-rate front and rear springs, Monroe Formula GP front struts, rear shocks and horizontal axle damper, special strut mounting bearings and urethane sway bar bushings.  For braking, Saleen chose Ford Mustang SVO 4-wheel disc brakes.

Saleen also added his touch to the interior trimmings, installing special Saleen Edition Flofit sport seats with extra bolstering and adjustable lumbar supports, matching rear seats and door panels, a leather-covered small-diameter Momo steering wheel, 170 MPH Saleen speedometer and electronic tachometer, a Hurst short-throw shifter with leather-covered knob, special Saleen Mustang dash emblem and a serialized console plaque. No. 85 also featuring BFGoodrich Comp T/A tires, power steering and brakes, air conditioning, an upgraded Panasonic CD sound system (the optional Pioneer KEH 6050 cassette/radio is included).

This Particular Saleen Mustang

Offered with tasteful performance upgrades, this exceptional example of the famous Fox-body Saleen, #85 of 549 hatchbacks produced in 1988, is a one-owner lifelong California car sold new at nearby Ed Chovanes Ford, San Leandro, CA.

Presented in largely stock appearance complete with the original decals, and interior with subtle and attractive upgrades to the suspension, interior, and engine bay, the Mustang passed California smog on 7/6/22 and included documents support that the supercharger is CARB (California Air Resources Board) compliant.  The car will be delivered to its new owner with a file of receipts, original delivery documents, original keys, a large Saleen advertising framed poster reading: “Saleen Mustang – Power In The Hands Of A Few,” and a number of other items listed later in this narrative.

Modifications on this example utilized high quality components and are tastefully done including:

Engine

 -Ford Motorsport Powerdyne BD-10 Supercharger (details on specification sheet in gallery)

–JBA Headers– 1 5/8” Ceramic Mandrel Bent Shorty headers

-Upgraded Cats- Still Ford Cats but later year and less restrictive

-Flowmaster exhaust- ¼” larger than stock pipes with pencil cut tips

-Updated Valve cover gaskets

-Updated Viton AC gaskets / O-rings (no leaks)

-Bigger throttle Valve butterfly to accommodate blower (65mm vs 55mm)

-Adj fuel pressure regulator (manually adjustable (turned down for smog)

-Upgraded Ford fuel pump for supercharger (190l/hr. vs stock 88l/hr.)

-NEW SVO master cylinder

-Custom air cleaner/intake (original included)

-Larger Desert Cool radiator

Suspension

-Saleen caster/camber plates (Not installed)

-Meyer strut mount brace needed to clear supercharger (original included)

-Cobra R rims.  6 stock Saleen rims included.  Replaced with Cobra R rims for regular driving as the stock rims were very susceptible to bending.

Interior

-Saleen Roll Bar (bolted in for ease of removal)

-Upgraded Panasonic CD player (original stock Pioneer included)

-Fire Extinguisher mounted to roll bar

-Saleen boost gauge (not drilled, can be removed with no holes)

 Saleen Mustang – Condition

This Saleen presents extremely well, reflecting its low mileage and excellent care by it’s the one-owner.  The paint rates very high and is all original except for the hood and front bumper that was resprayed due to minor front chips with the paint matching perfectly.  It is very high gloss and free from any damage or noticeable imperfections.  Trim and glass are all original and in excellent condition as are the various rubber parts throughout the exterior. The original Saleen emblems remain in place and show as new. The doors, hood, and trunk open and shut properly and display excellent fit. The trunk and engine bay are beautifully finished and nicely detailed, with subtle engine bay upgrades being apparent.  The beautiful Cobra R rims (added for street driving) and spare tire are all in excellent condition, shod with Kuhmo tires in size 255/40/ZR17 with 20/01 date codes. Six (6) original Saleen wheels & tires are included and can be seen in the photo gallery.

The interior is totally original except for an added Saleen roll bar (bolted in) with a fire extinguisher attached and a boost gauge (can be removed with no damage) for the supercharger.  It retains its wonderful original look and feel with all finishes cohesively matched from the Ford factory.  Saleen emblems are present on the dash, center console, door panels, and on the shift lever.  Also on the dash is a sticker reading 88-0085 (#85 of 549 in 1988) located below the radio and documents the cars limited production.  Clearly stored indoors and meticulously maintained, this Saleen Mustang has excellent instrumentation with bright contrasting dials and excellent color, well preserved switches and center console details, and the original steering wheel. The factory air conditioning blows cold, and functions as designed.  The carpets are spotless with Saleen floor mats covering the front carpet.  Also beautiful is the door and door sill trim, inner jambs, and hinges. The cloth seats are pristine and in very good structural condition exhibiting virtually no wear or foam compression on the driver or passenger side seat bolsters. The rear seat is immaculate with no indication that it has ever seen passengers.

The engine and engine compartment have benefited from preservation to the correct factory components, consistent service, and attention to authentic finishes throughout. Hoses, fittings, and factory hardware, much of which appears original, are well preserved and nicely detailed, further confirming the integrity of this 39,125 mile example. Rarely does one find such a nicely preserved original car that has never needed to be restored. The undercarriage is very nice overall, remaining as one might expect an original car to be – with mild use, yet properly sorted, maintained with care, and showing no evidence of structural compromise.

The car starts and runs smoothly with very strong performance from the upgraded Ford Motorsport supercharged 5.0 liter engine.  It has regularly received service, is properly tuned for driving and displays smooth clutch engagement and excellent gearbox action, both cold and warm. Suspension is firm and engaging due to factory improved Saleen Racecraft components. The exceptional behavior of this car continues at highway speeds, where the car tracks straight, holds the road very well, and brakes with confidence.

This Saleen is exceptionally well-documented and complete, including the original window sticker, owner’s manual, factory jack, spare tire, product information/brochures, original keys, original Pioneer head unit, original front strut tower brace (needed to replace with an aftermarket unit to accommodate the supercharger), factory air box and other items that were delivered with the car when new. Supporting the service and documentation, the car is also accompanied by a recent smog inspection and California safety check, both were passed with no problem.

It would be a challenge to find a better-preserved example of a Scarlet Red, one-owner Saleen than this, number 85.